Utiseta – Norse Vision Quest – Ancient Spiritual Tradition Of Northern Europe
Ellen Lloyd - AncientPages.com - The best and most straightforward way to explain Utiseta is to say it's the Norse version of the Native American vision quest.
A völva was feared. Goddess Freya was the most powerful völva. Image credit: Adobe stock - Nejron Photo
Like Native Americans, Norse shamans believed it was possible to open the door to the spiritual world, and by doing so, we can find the true purpose of life. Utiseta served as a method that offered guidance to those who needed to discover the path in life.
In Northern Europe, Utiseta was an ancient meditation technique practiced by Norse shamans. Before the arrival of Christianity, shamans played a significant role in Norse society. Shamans were respected and famous for their unusual powers because they mastered seidr and possessed the ability to alter destiny.
In Norse mythology, the Völva was a mighty female shaman and seer.
She held an essential place in the ancient Viking society, and her powers were so strong that not only Vikings feared her prophecies, but even Odin, the greatest of all Norse gods, consulted her to learn what the future had in store for the gods.
Ancient people believed practicing Utiseta gave a person knowledge and understanding of invisible worlds and the subconscious mind. Utiseta focused on connecting with nature, which is why the meditation technique had to be practiced in a quiet and lonely place, usually far from habitation.
During the Viking Age, Utiseta (or the "sitting out" ritual) was specifically used to communicate with spirits. A person who practiced Utiseta was believed to "sit at the crossroads" between the worlds.
"Uti-seta can also be seen as an encounter between someone who seeks knowledge (the pupil) and someone who has knowledge (the kennari or teacher). That meeting will take place at the point where the paths of teacher and pupil intersect: the crossroads." 1
"During the course of the útiseta, the quester would continue to sing her experiences and offer galdr (incantations or poetic songs) to the spirits. These periods of singing and chanting would be alternated with long periods of silence to receive the spirits' wisdom and to feel the connections being woven with the unseen and the natural worlds." 2
"Utiseta can, in some cases, become "faring forth," or "journeying," which are both northern-tradition terms for what is modernly referred to as "astral projection." This occurs when a specific part of the soul leaves the body and travels to Otherworlds (or to other places in this world) while still being connected to the physical form." 3
Utiseta was intended to guide a person and help to find the right path. Those who were lost could find answers by reconnecting to the subconscious mind, which many scientists consider a shadow of the "real" conscious mind. The unconscious mind contains our biologically based instincts. While we are fully aware of what is happening in the conscious mind, we have no idea what information is stored in the unconscious mind. It is also one of the reasons why scientists think there is a mysterious, powerful 'second intelligence' hiding behind our conscious minds.
Utiseta can help us to unravel the mystery of our hidden second intelligence.
Connecting with nature is a process that results in inner peace and a better understanding of oneself. In Northern Europe, nature was always where you went to seek answers. In ancient times, people in Sweden practiced a tradition known as Årsgång – a Year Walk. Visiting the forest on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve was a custom during the Year Walk.
People in ancient Sweden believed a walk in the forest could foretell future events.
In Sweden, where nature played an important role in daily life, it seemed logical to assume that omen-seekers could acquire knowledge of the following year by visiting the forest. But one had to be very careful because supernatural beings that resided in forests, lakes, and mountains could be harmful.
Utiseta has been remembered; some still practice this ancient meditation technique. The legacy of Norse Shamanism is alive.
The best and most straightforward way to explain Utiseta is to say it's the Norse version of the Native American vision quest.
Like Native Americans, Norse shamans believed it was possible to open the door to the spiritual world, and by doing so, we can find the true purpose of life. Utiseta served as a method that offered guidance to those who needed to discover the path in life.
In Northern Europe, Utiseta was an ancient meditation technique practiced by Norse shamans. Before the arrival of Christianity, shamans played a significant role in Norse society. Shamans were respected and famous for their unusual powers because they mastered seidr and possessed the ability to alter destiny.
In Norse mythology, the Völva was a mighty female shaman and seer.
She held an essential place in the ancient Viking society, and her powers were so strong that not only Vikings feared her prophecies, but even Odin, the greatest of all Norse gods, consulted her to learn what the future had in store for the gods.
Ancient people believed practicing Utiseta gave a person knowledge and understanding of invisible worlds and the subconscious mind. Utiseta focused on connecting with nature, which is why the meditation technique had to be practiced in a quiet and lonely place, usually far from habitation.
During the Viking Age, Utiseta (or the "sitting out" ritual) was specifically used to communicate with spirits. A person who practiced Utiseta was believed to "sit at the crossroads" between the worlds.
"Uti-seta can also be seen as an encounter between someone who seeks knowledge (the pupil) and someone who has knowledge (the kennari or teacher). That meeting will take place at the point where the paths of teacher and pupil intersect: the crossroads." 1
"During the course of the útiseta, the quester would continue to sing her experiences and offer galdr (incantations or poetic songs) to the spirits. These periods of singing and chanting would be alternated with long periods of silence to receive the spirits' wisdom and to feel the connections being woven with the unseen and the natural worlds." 2
"Utiseta can, in some cases, become "faring forth," or "journeying," which are both northern-tradition terms for what is modernly referred to as "astral projection." This occurs when a specific part of the soul leaves the body and travels to Otherworlds (or to other places in this world) while still being connected to the physical form." 3
Utiseta was intended to guide a person and help to find the right path. Those who were lost could find answers by reconnecting to the subconscious mind, which many scientists consider a shadow of the "real" conscious mind. The unconscious mind contains our biologically based instincts. While we are fully aware of what is happening in the conscious mind, we have no idea what information is stored in the unconscious mind. It is also one of the reasons why scientists think there is a mysterious, powerful 'second intelligence' hiding behind our conscious minds.
Utiseta can help us to unravel the mystery of our hidden second intelligence.
Connecting with nature is a process that results in inner peace and a better understanding of oneself. In Northern Europe, nature was always where you went to seek answers. In ancient times, people in Sweden practiced a tradition known as Årsgång – a Year Walk. Visiting the forest on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve was a custom during the Year Walk.
People in ancient Sweden believed a walk in the forest could foretell future events.
In Sweden, where nature played an important role in daily life, it seemed logical to assume that omen-seekers could acquire knowledge of the following year by visiting the forest. But one had to be very careful because supernatural beings that resided in forests, lakes, and mountains could be harmful.
Utiseta has been remembered; some still practice this ancient meditation technique. The legacy of Norse Shamanism is alive.
Updated on January 17, 2024
Written by - Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com
Copyright © AncientPages.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of AncientPages.com
Expand for references
More From Ancient Pages
-
On This Day In History: King Louis XVI Of France Was Put On Trial For Treason – On Dec 11, 1792
News | Dec 11, 2016 -
Ancient Andean People Had A Plant-Based Diet And Were Not Hunter-Gatherers
Archaeology | Jan 25, 2024 -
Mystery Of The Beautiful Viking Uig Chessmen Found On The Isle Of Lewis, Scotland
Artifacts | Dec 14, 2015 -
On This Day In History: Black Death Arrived In Britain – On June 24, 1348
News | Jun 24, 2016 -
Ancient Warming Event May Have Been Trigged By Changes In Earth’s Orbit
Archaeology | Dec 13, 2022 -
The ‘Band Of Peace’ And Ancient Egyptian Technology – Is It Possible These Sites Were Power Generators?
Ancient Technology | Mar 19, 2017 -
Norse Legend Of Hero Sigmund And The Magical Sword In The Branstock Tree
Featured Stories | Jun 25, 2016 -
Mystery Of Prehistoric Gigantic Hill Figures Of England
Featured Stories | Sep 20, 2018 -
Kingdoms Of Judah And Babylon Remained In Long-Lasting Conflict
Featured Stories | Sep 5, 2019 -
1,900-year-old ‘water law’ unearthed in Laodicea
Civilizations | Aug 26, 2015 -
Early North Americans Much More Diverse Than Previously Believed
Archaeology | Jan 30, 2020 -
Vindelev Treasure Re-Writes Ancient History – World’s Oldest Runic Inscription Of God Odin Found On Ancient Gold Pendants
Archaeology | Mar 8, 2023 -
Did Etruscans Solve The Mystery Of Synchronicity And The Secret Language Of The Stars?
Civilizations | Jul 5, 2018 -
Mystery Of Egyptian Queen Hetepheres I’s Bracelets Solved!
Archaeology | Jun 2, 2023 -
Ancient DNA Has Rewritten Early Japanese History
Archaeology | Sep 17, 2021 -
A Remarkably Well-Preserved Wooden Well Dating Back To The Bronze Age Uncovered In Benson, Oxfordshire
Archaeology | May 10, 2024 -
First Egyptian Middle Kingdom Tomb Unearthed In South Asasif Necropolis In Luxor
Archaeology | Nov 5, 2024 -
Mystery Of The Ancient Foggaras: Sahara’s Incredible Masterwork Of Antiquity
Ancient Technology | May 20, 2016 -
Sumerian City Of Girsu: Political, Religious Center With Large Archive Of Thousands Of Cuneiform Tablets
Civilizations | Jul 21, 2023 -
Pants And Boots Were Forbidden In Ancient Rome – Trousers Were A Symbol Of Barbarism To Ancient Romans
Ancient History Facts | Dec 6, 2017